Chapter 377
Chapter 377
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Unknown]
Chapter Title: The Demon-Quelling Perfected Being Arrives
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The appearance of the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being changed everything in an instant.
The moment he appeared, his hand pressed against the Non-Killing Sword at his waist. In that split second, every sword cultivator across all of Jiangnan sensed it and lifted their heads.
"Clang clang!"
From Perfected Beings down to Qi Refining cultivators, spirit treasures, magic treasures, and even ordinary mortal blades—all of them stirred restlessly, emitting a chorus of clear, resonant sword cries.
In an instant, Guang Ming, who had maintained his composure until now, finally changed expression. He subconsciously took a step back. The aggressive Buddhist radiance that had bore down on Lu Yang retracted all at once. Even his supposedly indestructible golden body now felt a sharp sting at the neck.
‘Demon-Quelling Perfected Being Ye Guangji’
The world's foremost sword cultivator!
If not for his aversion to combat and his rare personal involvement in the disputes between Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion and Primal Saint Sect, the Saint Sect would likely have been forced into steady retreat by the Sword Pavilion!
Guang Ming's wariness of this man ran deeper than most.
The incident that cemented the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being's fame—earning him universal recognition as the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment—was inextricably linked to him.
After all, this wasn't the World Honored One's first time descending to swat fish in shallow waters.
Unlike his own Victorious Will Generating Brilliance Dharani Heaven Worldly Manifestation, the previous descent had been the Great Compassion Great Mercy Dharani Heaven Worldly Manifestation.
The chosen vessel that time was a nun from Pure Land, profound in her Dao with peak Foundation Establishment cultivation. Empowered by the dharma image, she grew unprecedentedly mighty, leading Pure Land to sweep across the lands. She even proclaimed the creation of an Earthly Buddhist Kingdom, broadly inviting Perfected Beings from across the world.
That was, until she arrived in Jiangnan.
Pure Land's malevolent tendencies were well-known to all. They had converted countless Jiangnan commoners, and the Sword Pavilion's True Lords had already struck a deal with Pure Land, tacitly permitting the matter.
Yet the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being flew into a rage.
What followed was that world-shaking battle that drew even the gaze of True Lords, leaving them in awe: the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being severed the head of Pure Land's Buddhist maiden with three swords.
The Great Compassion Great Mercy Dharani Heaven Worldly Manifestation—slain!
One must understand that a Buddhist cultivator empowered by a dharma image awakens 'past-life memories,' realizing they are an incarnation of the World Honored One. Their strength surges dramatically.
Though not the World Honored One in the flesh, they should theoretically be invincible within Foundation Establishment.
Even conceding that some Foundation Establishment Perfected Being might match them—who would truly dare to win? Fear of provoking the World Honored One?
Everyone knew the World Honored One had no shame.
Only the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being was different. He was the only sword cultivator in Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's history with a true shot at manifesting a Sword Dao Fruit Position.
Thus, he had backing—and formidable backing at that.
For the sake of the Sword Dao Fruit Position, Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion would never tolerate Pure Land bullying the weak with numbers.
Hence, a fair duel.
The Buddhist maiden failed to swat fish and ended up swatted herself.
Awakening his 'past-life memories,' Guang Ming could even recall the sword the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being had unleashed back then. Retreat filled his heart unbidden.
"Benefactor, you've misunderstood. This poor monk was merely joking."
In the next instant, a sincere smile bloomed on Guang Ming's face.
"This poor monk truly only wished to invite this benefactor to Pure Land for a visit."
"No need to see you off."
The Demon-Quelling Perfected Being's expression remained indifferent. The Non-Killing Sword slid half an inch from its sheath, gleaming with bone-chilling light. The heavenly Buddhist chants and chants ceased entirely, plunging the world into utter silence.
Guang Ming pressed his palms together, seemingly intent on stealing one last glance at Lu Yang. Yet Lu Yang's figure was firmly shielded behind the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being. At the same instant, sword intent erupted forth, stabbing Guang Ming's eyes with pain. Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.
"Farewell!"
Seeing this, Guang Ming dared not linger. He pinched an escape art and took a step. His figure shattered like a dream, a mirage, a bubble—vanishing from the spot.
‘Saved?’
Witnessing the scene, Lu Yang still hadn't fully processed it. Shock roiled in his heart; he hadn't expected the Buddhist Son Guang Ming to retreat so decisively.
The next moment, a concerned voice rang out.
"Are you alright?"
Lu Yang looked up to find the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being had already sheathed the Non-Killing Sword. Worry etched his features as he gazed at Lu Yang.
"Do you have the strength left to retract that sword?"
Lu Yang shook his head.
The Sword of Desperate Strike offered death without life. The instant he had condensed it, Lu Yang was already as good as dead. The only variable was when he unleashed it—retracing it was theoretically impossible. Even if he could, he had no intention of doing so now.
‘Gotta keep a respawn option.’
Though the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being had just saved him, such concern for someone in this godforsaken place made it hard for Lu Yang to believe there were no strings attached.
What if he retracted the Sword of Desperate Strike on the front foot, only for the man to strike on the back foot?
The current Lu Yang trusted no one.
He trusted only himself!
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang sighed.
"Can't retract it for now. I can barely keep it from slashing out—that's my limit."
The Demon-Quelling Perfected Being smiled at that.
"As long as you can control it, that's fine. No rush. Once you comprehend Sword Intent someday, a mere Sword of Desperate Strike will be trivial for you to dispel."
He gave Lu Yang another deep look.
"Sword Heart Illumination?"
Lu Yang nodded and cupped his hands.
"In annihilating the Myriad Poison Sect this time, this disciple gained some insight."
"Excellent!"
The Demon-Quelling Perfected Being smiled in satisfaction.
"You're gravely injured. Come back to the Sword Pavilion with me first. Tell me what exactly happened at the Myriad Poison Sect."
"This disciple obeys."
Lu Yang omitted all mention of his main body and clone, selectively recounting the events. He wasn't worried about the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being peering back through time. Heaven and earth had already intervened in the entire Myriad Poison Sect affair, purging the karma. Not even a Great Luo Immortal could reconstruct those scenes.
Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, Extreme Heaven Cliff.
The Demon-Quelling Perfected Being led Lu Yang straight here without delay. He promptly produced a pill to ease injuries and had Lu Yang swallow it.
"Thank you, Master."
There was genuine gratitude in Lu Yang's thanks. Without the Demon-Quelling Perfected Being, he'd have no choice but to self-detonate and respawn, losing everything down to his underpants.
With his immortal spirit body seized, respawning at best meant taking the Sword Dao clone's cultivation. But Sword Dao was toxic as hell—how could he carry it over? He'd have to pick a dharma body again, wasting this entire life with nothing to show for it. How could he stomach that?
The lone silver lining was Ancestor Tingyou on his side.
So even if respawning, he'd at least wait until Ancestor Tingyou matured. Otherwise, it'd be total failure.
The thought made Lu Yang grit his teeth.
Fortunately, critical items like the Grand Heaven Encompassing All Phenomena Dharma Body were bound to the Book of a Hundred Lives, transferring with his consciousness to the clone.
Otherwise, it wouldn't just be failure—he'd be wiped clean!
Such a massive loss had only happened in his first few lives, back when he was young and ignorant, lacking experience.
‘Guang Ming, heaven and earth’
He committed the grudge to memory.
Just you wait!
At that moment, a report came from a Qi Refining disciple outside the door.
"Deputy Sect Master, the Family Head has arrived outside Extreme Heaven Cliff with Elder Ye Cheng, seeking an audience."